Dubai nursery to hire local mothers to help teach students Arabic
What should shock you, however, is bearing in mind that the mothers in Dubai are engaging moms older than 50 years to interact with the children and ‘have quite a genuine family atmosphere’ – which counters them with the real experience of diversity.
The director of Al Freej Nursery, Hamda Al Mutaiwi echoed these sentiments, “We tend to focus on Arabic as our medium of teaching because the children are engrossed in the English games for hours and Arabic language is slowly eroding.”
A totally Emirati model is being routinely established at the community nursery that places older mothers in their spare time to engage children in ways that are friendly to Emirati society.
Al Mutaiwi stated that “There are mothers above the age of 50 who are willing to work and who want to teach and connect with the children. That’s why we are looking for them." Applicants are required to be UAE nationals with early childhood education experience and qualification, among other criteria.
Al Freej Nursery was established by the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (Iacad) and efforts to teach young children the basic principles of Islamic values, tradition and authentic Emirati fusion culture. “Our focus is on two major issues. The Arabic is the language, and the identity is the nationality,” stressed Al Mutaiwi.
Children from the age of one to four are accepted in the nursery. The nursery holds a staggering 45 children at present, with a potential increase of up to 101 children. Emphasis on registration is given to working mothers from Iacad families and Emiratis, however any working mother from the areas close to the center may still register her child.
Cultivating an Emirati community
The nursery seeks to create an Emirati society for children as many of the Emirati's customs and traditions seem to be vanishing slowly. This is, however, not the case as Al Mutaiwi has noted; they are working with the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in Dubai to improve on their initiatives.
To observe the required steps in the admission process, the parents will take the child to the nursery for a willing discussion with the director concerning enrollment. The monthly fees of the nursery are Dh2750.
Three classrooms, clinic, indoor and outdoor play areas, and Dkhtoora Zainab rooms are all part of the nursery, Dr Zainab was a respected member of the medical profession who died in the UAE. Moreover, the boys are in kandura while the girls wear mukhawara which are traditional Emirati garb as uniform for the nursery.
For the future, Al Mutaiwi stated that there are plans of opening yet another nursery in Dubai next year with the KHDA as partners, thus continuing with their effort of promoting local culture.
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